The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has faced criticism in recent seasons because of fewer star players and less excitement. Many fans feel the tournament is not as enjoyable as before. During this discussion, England all-rounder Moeen Ali shared his honest opinion on why the league seems to have lost some of its charm.

While speaking to the media, Moeen talked about franchise cricket dressing rooms. He said that every team has a different environment, but the difference is usually not very big. “To be honest, every dressing room is different,” Moeen said. “Whether it’s CSK or RCB, it’s always different, but it’s always good.”

Moeen explained that in franchise cricket, players often play with the same teammates in different leagues. Because of this, the overall atmosphere stays quite similar. However, he said his time at Chennai Super Kings was very special. “CSK was special because we had a strong team and we won two trophies,” he said. “When you win trophies, the dressing room is always a happy place. So overall, there isn’t a big difference.”

Also read -Watch: Glenn Phillips' outrageous fielding shocks Rohit Sharma during IND vs NZ 1st ODI

BPL Losing Its Spark Due to Scheduling Issues

Moeen Ali admitted that the Bangladesh Premier League does not have the same excitement it once had. When asked about the lack of star players and lower fan interest, he said the main reason is the clash with other cricket tournaments. “Yes, honestly, I think the number one reason is that it clashes with other leagues,” Moeen said.

He explained that the BPL takes place at the same time as big tournaments like South Africa’s SA20, Australia’s Big Bash League, and different international series. At the same time, players are also preparing for major ICC events such as the World Cup. Because of this busy schedule, many top players choose other commitments, which reduces the star presence in the BPL.

Moeen feels the league needs time and changes to become strong again. He said the process would be like starting fresh. “Maybe it will take another season,” he said. “Hopefully, Inshallah, things will be better next season. But it will take some time — almost like a reset.”

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Franchise Changes and Hope for the Future

Moeen also pointed out that frequent changes in team ownership and management hurt the league’s stability. “Teams keep changing, and people are not always sure who owns which franchise or who is running the team,” he said. “These things keep changing here. It needs to settle down again.”

He believes this instability makes it hard for teams to plan for the long term and build a strong identity. Still, Moeen is hopeful that things will improve within the next year if the league becomes more stable. He stressed that finding a fixed window in the cricket calendar and keeping franchises consistent are very important for the BPL’s future.

Apart from talking about the league, Moeen also praised his England teammate Ethan Brooks, who is playing with him in Sylhet. He spoke very positively about Brooks’ talent and potential. “He’s a very good cricketer,” Moeen said. “The fans here really like him, and teams rate him highly. His fielding is outstanding, and he is also a very good bowler. He hasn’t bowled much here yet, but skill-wise, he’s excellent. His batting is also very, very good.”

Moeen added that finishing matches is one of the hardest jobs in modern cricket, but Brooks has done well in that role in England over the past two years. “I’m sure he still has a lot more to show here,” Moeen said. “And he’s keen to show it.”

Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has officially confirmed that he will play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026, choosing to skip the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Moeen’s decision comes after former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis also withdrew from the IPL and committed to the PSL.

Sharing the news on social media, Moeen wrote: “I’m really excited to join HBL PSL in its new era. The league is known for top-level T20 cricket, with strong competition and world-class talent in every team. Playing in Pakistan is always amazing. The quality of cricket is high, and the passion and energy from the crowd push you to give your best. I’m looking forward to being part of it and making great memories. Ready for another special experience, Insha’Allah!”

Moeen Ali has played for three IPL teams over eight seasons — Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders — giving valuable all-round performances. In 73 IPL matches, he scored 1,167 runs and took 41 wickets. He often helped the team with middle-order stability and important overs with the ball. In the 2025 season, he played six matches for KKR before being released ahead of the 2026 mini-auction. Outside the IPL, he has played 92 T20Is for England and previously played in the PSL with Multan Sultans, appearing in nine matches.

Also Read -Watch: Indian Players Celebrate Win at Team Hotel as Gautam Gambhir Chats with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Walks By

🚨 Moeen Ali has decided to leave the IPL and participate in the upcoming HBL Pakistan Super League pic.twitter.com/xAssgJ2iQQ

— Abu Bakar Tarar (@abubakartarar_) December 1, 2025

Moeen Follows Faf

Faf du Plessis, another big name, made a similar decision earlier by ruling himself out of the IPL auction. His IPL career started in 2013 with Chennai Super Kings, where he quickly became an important player. After playing seven seasons with CSK — including a season at Rising Pune Supergiant during CSK’s suspension — du Plessis had his best IPL year in 2021, scoring 633 runs and narrowly missing the Orange Cap.

After leaving CSK, Royal Challengers Bangalore signed him as captain from 2022 to 2024. During this time, he performed well as a leader and batter, scoring 730 runs in the 2023 season. In 2025, he played for Delhi Capitals, scoring 202 runs before an injury ended his season early. Over 154 IPL matches, he has scored 4,773 runs at an average of 35.10 with a strike rate of 135.79.

From the support of Jasprit Bumrah to the face of Team India's pace bowling attack. The match at The Oval suddenly turned Mohammed Siraj as the savior of the team. India's incredible fight back with the help of Siraj will remain in the minds of cricket fans for the upcoming years. Former England international Moeen Ali explained why and how Siraj became the 'outstanding' bowler for the men in the Blue Brigade.

Emphasizing Hyderabad born's hardwork, and love for the sport, the former cricketer said during his recent visit to the London office of GFS Developments. "Siraj has been outstanding in the England series. The energy, aggression, and consistency he brings with the ball are world-class. He's matured into a genuine match-winner for India, and it's always a challenge for batters facing him." 

"What impresses me the most is his ability to control the ball. He's got a big heart and never backs down—that's what makes him so special. Credit to him for the impact he's making," he further added. 

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Effortless bowling and no nonsense approach 

The right-handed was the only pacer who played all of the 5 matches in the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, while other fast bowlers of the squad dropped from multiple matches for various reasons. The 31-year-old pacer bowled a whopping 185.3 overs across nine innings in the series, which proved why he is considered the tireless bowler of the cricketing world. He not only played but also delivered at his best. In those nine innings, the seamer bagged 23 wickets in total and emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the 5-match Test series.

In the fifth and last match of the tour, during the series decider, Siraj secured his match-best haul of 9/190 at The Oval, 4/86 in the first innings of 16.2 overs and 5/104 in 30.1 overs in the second innings of the match where India won and made the scoreline 2-2 with the host, England. 

English cricketer Moeen Ali, who served for the IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore (now Royal Challengers Bengaluru) for three seasons, recently revealed that the former RCB skipper Virat Kohli was almost removed from the captaincy role in the 2019 season.

Virat Kohli-led RCB played one IPL Final

Despite not winning any title, former Indian captain Virat Kohli was one of the most popular captains in the Indian Premier League. He is the only RCB captain to lead the team in 50+ matches, as he led the IPL franchise in 143 T20 matches between 2011 and 2023. Under his leadership, RCB played one IPL final in 2016, where they lost against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Although Kohli temporarily led RCB in three matches during IPL 2023, he originally led the franchise actively in the 2021 season. Before the IPL 2022, he stepped down from the leadership role citing workload management. However, the former RCB cricketer Moeen Ali, who played 19 IPL matches for RCB between 2018 and 2020, revealed that Kohli was almost dropped from the leadership role after choosing an alternative.   

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Parthiv was in line to become captain: Moeen Ali

After finishing as the runners-up in the IPL 2016, Kohli-led RCB failed to reach the playoffs in the next three seasons (2017, 2018, and 2019), including finishing as the last placed team in the 2017 and 2019 editions. However, Kohli-led RCB has shown impressive improvement since the 2020 edition, where they reached the Eliminator. But Kohli's captaincy would be almost over earlier, as Parthiv Patel was in line for the next RCB captain.  

Moeen Ali told SportsTak, "Yes, I think he was. I'm quite sure he was. In the final year, when Gary Kirsten was there-after the first year, I believe-Parthiv was in line to become captain. He had a brilliant cricketing brain. That was the talk at the time. I don't know what happened or why it didn't materialise, but I'm sure he was seriously considered for the role."

Former Indian wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel played 32 T20 matches for RCB, including serving the team for two consecutive seasons in the IPL 2018 and 2019. This name may be shocking for some people, but he was one of the popular captains in Indian domestic cricket. Under his leadership, Gujarat won its first Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. 

During a recent interview with SportsTak, former England and RCB all-rounder Moeen Ali shared an interesting revelation about Royal Challengers Bengaluru's leadership plans back in 2019. Moeen mentioned that under the head coach, Gary Kirsten, the team had strongly considered appointing Parthiv Patel as captain. According to him, the decision came very close to being finalised, which would have marked a significant change in direction for the franchise. This insight has sparked renewed discussion about the leadership dynamics within RCB during that particular phase of their journey.

Moeen was with the Bengaluru-based team from 2019 to 2020, before he moved to Chennai Super Kings, where he found greater success. Virat Kohli, meanwhile, served as RCB’s full-time captain from 2013 after succeeding Daniel Vettori, though he had led in a few matches earlier. He remained in charge until 2021, stepping down due to workload concerns. Despite never winning the title, Kohli is still remembered as one of RCB's most influential and longest-serving leaders.

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"Yes, I think he was. I'm quite sure he was. In the final year, when Gary Kirsten was there-after the first year, I believe-Parthiv was in line to become captain. He had a brilliant cricketing brain. That was the talk at the time. I don't know what happened or why it didn't materialise, but I'm sure he was seriously considered for the role," Moeen said when asked whether Parthiv Patel had been considered for the RCB captaincy.

Virat Kohli had an underpar 2017 season

After guiding RCB to the final in 2016, Virat Kohli found it difficult to recreate that level of success in the following seasons. The team missed out on the playoffs for three straight years, finishing at the bottom of the table in both 2017 and 2019, and placing sixth in 2018. Despite Kohli's consistency with the bat, his captaincy drew criticism due to repeated poor finishes. However, a turnaround came in 2020 as RCB reached the playoffs, with Kohli's partnership with head coach Simon Katich showing signs of progress and stability.

Following Kohli's decision to step down as captain after the 2021 season, Faf du Plessis took over leadership duties, bringing greater consistency to the side. In 2025, RCB’s long-awaited IPL title finally came under Rajat Patidar’s captaincy. Kohli remained a key figure, scoring 657 runs in 15 matches and mentoring Rajat throughout the campaign. Meanwhile, Parthiv Patel, who last played in 2019, transitioned into a mentorship role with Gujarat Titans, where he made an immediate impact.

World Championship of Legends 2025 will kick off with the hosts, England Champions, taking on Pakistan Champions. We had a competitive season last year and hope to repeat it.

The England Champions will look for a good start this year after struggling in the last season with the bat and the ball. Pakistan Champions had a good season, and the side will look to make a strong impact in their first game.

EDC vs PNC Match Details

Date: July 18th, 2025

Time: 9:00 PM IST

Venue: Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham

Live Streaming: Fancode  

EDC vs PNC Weather Report

Clear weather

Also Read: ECS T10 Germany 2025: VG vs BBS Prediction– Qualifier 1, Who will win today?

Top Batters EDC vs PNC

• Kamran Akmal (PNC) - 172 runs in this tournament (Last 5 T20)

• Eoin Morgan (EDC) - 146 runs in this tournament

• Phil Mustard (EDC) - 106 runs in this tournament 

Top Bowler EDC vs PNC

• Smit Patel (EDC) - 4 wickets in this tournament 

• Wahab Riaz (PNC) - 6 wickets in this tournament

• Moeen Ali (PNC) - 3 wickets in this tournament

EDC vs PNC Recent Performance

EDC vs PNC Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1- If PNC bats first

• First Innings score prediction- PNC is expected to score 155-165 runs

• Result prediction- EDC will win the match by 6 Wickets.

Scenario 2- If EDC bats first

• First Innings score prediction- EDC is expected to score 180-190 runs.

• Result prediction- EDC will win the match by 35-40 Runs

EDC vs PNC Predicted Playing XI

England Champions (EDC) Playing XI 

Eoin Morgan (c), Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali, Phil Mustard (wk), Ravi Bopara, Samit Patel, Ian Bell, Liam Plunkett, Chris Tremlett, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Ryan Sidebottom.

Pakistan Champions (PNC) Playing XI

Shahid Afridi (c), Kamran Akmal (wk), Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanvir, Sohail Khan, Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Misbah-ul-Haq, Aamer Yamin

EDC vs PNC Today Match Prediction, Who Will Win the Match?

England Champions To win

We predict that England Champions will be winning this WCL 2025 match. The likes of Ravi Bopara, Eoin Morgan and Moeen Ali will be key players to watch out for.

Former India batter Aakash Chopra has raised concerns over the lack of conversation regarding Mohammed Siraj's workload, especially with discussions surrounding Jasprit Bumrah's fitness and rotation continuing to dominate headlines. Before the fourth Test against England, Chopra had said that while the BCCI had indicated that Bumrah would not be featuring in all matches, Siraj's efforts and match-time endurance have gone largely unnoticed.

“He works very hard. He bowls a lot of overs. Interestingly enough, no one is talking about him, and you feel it's not fair that you talk about everyone but not about him. However, he gives his 100 percent. Whenever he comes to bowl, he bowls wholeheartedly and runs in fast,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel, highlighting Siraj's consistent commitment and energy levels despite the demanding workload.

Chopra's comments express a larger feeling that bowlers like Siraj, who don't benefit from the same media spotlight as other bowlers, often go under the radar despite their impact in long Test series.

Moeen Ali draws Kohli comparison for Gill's fiery attitude

Meanwhile, former England all-rounder Moeen Ali drew comparisons between Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, particularly in terms of on-field aggression and competitive spirit. Moeen believes Gill’s demeanor at Lord’s had echoes of Kohli’s iconic celebration at Edgbaston back in 2018, and while such behavior is part of the game, it may have sparked a stronger reaction from the hosts.

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“My take is, it's fine. I think he's just trying to be competitive in front of a fight, and very similar to Virat, I think it's fine,” Moeen said. “But then, obviously, the other team, what you've done is, I think you've actually brought out the best of England and the fight and that beast England can be. And I think it's a different side of England. They've shown all the players that it's great for the series to win. I don't know why it's getting criticized,” he added during an interaction on Wednesday while playing for Guyana Amazon Warriors in the GSL.

Former England players Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid were recently on opposite sides of a lighthearted but intense discussion on who the best ODI batter of all time is: Sachin Tendulkar or Virat Kohli?

The debate played out on their podcast, Beard Before Wicket, where the pair were asked to select a single batter to open in ODIs from three all-time greats: Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, and Brian Lara.

Adil Rashid wasn't afraid to choose Kohli. Moeen, however, played the diplomat at first. "They all average 50," he reminded us, implying the argument was too evenly balanced. But Rashid had prepared some statistics and pressure.

"If you contrast the two, who's won more games, who's scored more hundreds in ODI cricket Virat. Who's won more games when chasing Virat. Who's that match-winner in that regard?" Rashid asked. Ultimately, Moeen was convinced by his team's reasoning, concluding, "I think you have to start with Virat, Rashid's right." 

Kohli's Dominance in ODIs

It’s hard to argue against Kohli’s one-day numbers. Since making his debut in 2008, the Indian maestro has rewritten the record books in the format. In 302 matches, he has scored 14,181 runs at an astonishing average of 57.88, including 51 centuries, the most in ODI history, overtaking even Tendulkar's 49.

Kohli's ability to chase is what puts him in a class of his own. 28 out of his 51 hundreds have been in winning run chases, a record that speaks volumes about his ability to deliver in pressure situations. With a strike rate of 93.24 and an average of 64.50, he has scored more than 8000 runs while chasing in ODIs.

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Watch the video:

Adil Rashid cooking Moeen Ali and Nostalgia merchants 😭🔥 pic.twitter.com/l7Zg99IWC0

— Vivek (@hailKohli18) July 3, 2025

Keeping Delivering on the Big Stage

In the 2025 Champions Trophy, which India went on to win, Kohli played his last game of ODI cricket. With 218 runs at 54.50 from five games, he was the most crucial player of the tournament. His highlight was an unbeaten century in a pressure chase against arch-rivals Pakistan.

Although the Rashid-Moeen argument was frivolous, it is a part of a broader generational debate in cricket. Kohli's figures, influence in chases, and consistency are enough to drive a point for his supremacy in contemporary times, though Tendulkar remains an immortal of the sport.

England all-rounder Moeen Ali ranked in the top 10 ODI batters in the world. Needless to say, the list is full of star cricketers. It was a blindfold video, so Ali had no clue which name to mention to be ranked. Interestingly, Virat Kohli's name was not mentioned even once in the video. So, the list of top 10 ODI batsmen in the world Moeen Ali named was without Virat Kohli, which is definitely shocking for cricket lovers.

The video started with mentioning former Australia international David Warner's name. Ali put the opener in number 4 and then put South Africa's former Hashim Amla in the number 3 spot. Then he put Quinton De Kock and Kevin Pietersen at 6 and 5, respectively. Thus, AB de Villiers is placed at number 1 and Rohit Sharma at 2. 

Top 10 ODI batters through a blindfold test: 

1. AB de Villiers 

2. Rohit Sharma 

3. Hashim Amla 

4. David Warner 

5. Kevin Pietersen

6. Quinton De Kock

7. Chris Gayle

8. MS Dhoni 

9. Babar Azam 

10. Kumar Sangakkara

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It was a blindfold test, so Ali perhaps had no clue which name was going to pop up and when. The game is mostly dependent on assumptions and ball knowledge. A blindfold test and someone's dream team can be different. It was not a dream ODI team picked by Moeen Ali. 

Picking an all-time ODI XI will be a very difficult task for anyone to do. Over the years every cricket-playing nation has gottenheroes in the game. India has multiple legends, the same for Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, and other top countries in the ICC's list. 

Watch the video here 

Blud didn’t include his bunny Virat Kohli, in the top 10 ODI batters.😭🔥

pic.twitter.com/PTWU24kSxw

— Rohan💫 (@rohann__45) June 30, 2025

Cricketing icons including Eoin Morgan, Sir Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali, and Ian Bell will headline the England Champions squad in the second edition of the sanctioned World Championship of Legends (WCL), running from July 18 to August 2 across the UK. This powerhouse lineup revives a golden era of English cricket, bolstered by the return of versatile all-rounders Ravi Bopara, Samit Patel, and Dimitri Mascarenhas, as well as a formidable pace attack led by Liam Plunkett, Chris Tremlett, Ajmal Shahzad, Ryan Sidebottom, and Stuart Meaker, complemented by wicket-keepers Phil Mustard and Tim Ambrose

“Leading England to World Cup glory was a defining moment,” said Eoin Morgan. “Playing WCL with legends I’ve shared the field with is a different kind of pride.” His words reflect the blend of nostalgia and national pride that defines this event.

With Edgbaston hosting several marquee matches, CEO Stuart Cain described WCL as “a celebration of greatness and a homecoming for our heroes.” WCL founder Harshit Tomar added, “This is where stories are retold and legends relive their prime.” Team owner Praveen Sharma echoed the competitive spirit, stating, “We’re here to win and inspire a new generation.”

See Also: WCL 2025: Australia Champions announced their squad for upcoming season

England Champions Squad – WCL 2025

The England Champions 2025 WCL team consists of: Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali, Sir Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Samit Patel, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Liam Plunkett, Chris Tremlett, Ajmal Shahzad, Ryan Sidebottom, Stuart Meaker, Phil Mustard, Usman Afzaal, and Tim Ambrose